Information for new user.
Electronic cigarettes all share three essential components:
Most reusable electronic cigarette components are manufactured according to some standard for their threaded (screw-on) fittings, making them interchangeable. Current (June 2011) dominating attachment standards include the 510 and 808D. The majority of components are manufactured to fit these models.
Cartridge
The cartridge is a small, usually disposable plastic container, with openings on each end. One end is placed in the user's mouth, while the other attaches to the atomizer (heating element).
This component serves as both a liquid reservoir and mouthpiece, and as such, must allow the passage of liquid to the atomizer, as well as vapor from the atomizer back to the user's mouth, without allowing liquid into the mouth. This is usually accomplished via an absorbent sponge-like material to keep the liquid in place, resting on a plastic barrier separating it from the mouth-end opening; The mouthpiece casing is constructed with side channels that allow vapor to pass from the atomizer, around the liquid chamber, to the mouth-end opening.
When the liquid in a cartridge has been depleted, the user can usually choose between refilling it, or replacing it with another pre-filled cartridge.
Some users forgo the use of liquid reservoirs altogether, and "drip" liquid directly onto the atomizer. This method has aptly come to be known as "dripping". Some manufacturers have responded to this practice by creating special mouthpieces that are intended primarily to ease use by the dripping method.
Atomizer
A battery connected to a USB charger.
A personal charging case, or PCC.
The atomizer is the heating element responsible for vaporizing the liquid, and generally consists of a simple filament and wicking metal mesh to draw the liquid in. It is positioned in the center of the three components that make up the entire electronic cigarette cylinder, as the cartridge attaches to one end, and the power unit to the other. The atomizer's filament tends to lose efficiency over time due to a buildup of sediment, or "burns out" entirely, requiring replacement. This creates one of the primary recurring expenses associated with electronic cigarettes.
Cartomizer
To deal with atomizer degradation and the associated expense, manufacturers introduced an integrated cartridge/atomizer component that is more cheaply produced, known as a cartomizer. They are sold in packages of five or more. When their heating elements degrade, they can be disposed of and replaced more cheaply than standalone atomizers.
Power source and electronics
Most portable power units contain a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, while wired units often draw power through a USB connection. The housing for the power source and electronic circuitry is usually the largest component of an electronic cigarette.
This unit may contain an electronic airflow sensor, in the case of "automatic" electronic cigarettes, so that activation is triggered simply by drawing breath through the device. Other "manual" electronic cigarette power units are constructed with a button that activates the heating element, and must be held during operation. A timed cutoff switch to prevent overheating, and/or a colored LED to announce activation, may also be included in the power unit casing.
Like most electronic devices, chargers of many different types are available for electronic cigarette batteries, such as AC outlet, car, and USB. Some manufacturers also offer a "Portable Charging Case," or "PCC": a portable case that contains a large battery, which in turn charges smaller batteries within individual e-cigarettes. PCCs are often designed to resemble traditional cigarette packs.
Liquids
Liquids used to produce vapor in electronic cigarettes are widely sold both as separate bottled products, for use with refillable cartridges, and as pre-filled disposable cartridges. Bottled liquid is sold under a variety of names, including "e-liquid", "e-juice", and "nicotine solution".
Contents of liquid solutions vary, but their common aspects include water and flavorings in a propylene glycol or glycerin base. Nicotine is also included in solutions intended to fulfill a nicotine replacement role.
Flavors
Hundreds of different flavor varieties are available. Some attempt to resemble traditional cigarette types, such as regular tobacco and menthol, and some even claim to mimic specific cigarette brands, such as Marlboro or Camel. A wide variety of food flavors are also sold, from the traditional (vanilla, coffee, cola) to the more exotic (strawberry daiquiri, Boston cream pie).
Nicotine
Liquid solutions containing nicotine are available in differing nicotine concentrations to suit user preference. Dosing nomenclatures are not standardized and vary by manufacturer, but tend towards the following rough figures:
Bases
Flavors and nicotine are dissolved in hygroscopic components, which turn the water in the solution into a smoke-like vapor when heated. Commonly used hygroscopic components include propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and polyethylene glycol 400 (often sold under the abbreviations PG, VG, and PEG 400, respectively).
Electronic cigarettes all share three essential components:
- A "cartridge" that serves as a mouthpiece and usually doubles as a small reservoir holding the liquid that is to be vaporized.
- An "atomizer" that serves as the heating element responsible for vaporizing the liquid.
- A power supply, which in portable models is a battery. Other electronic components necessary for operation are housed within the power unit.
Most reusable electronic cigarette components are manufactured according to some standard for their threaded (screw-on) fittings, making them interchangeable. Current (June 2011) dominating attachment standards include the 510 and 808D. The majority of components are manufactured to fit these models.
Cartridge
The cartridge is a small, usually disposable plastic container, with openings on each end. One end is placed in the user's mouth, while the other attaches to the atomizer (heating element).
This component serves as both a liquid reservoir and mouthpiece, and as such, must allow the passage of liquid to the atomizer, as well as vapor from the atomizer back to the user's mouth, without allowing liquid into the mouth. This is usually accomplished via an absorbent sponge-like material to keep the liquid in place, resting on a plastic barrier separating it from the mouth-end opening; The mouthpiece casing is constructed with side channels that allow vapor to pass from the atomizer, around the liquid chamber, to the mouth-end opening.
When the liquid in a cartridge has been depleted, the user can usually choose between refilling it, or replacing it with another pre-filled cartridge.
Some users forgo the use of liquid reservoirs altogether, and "drip" liquid directly onto the atomizer. This method has aptly come to be known as "dripping". Some manufacturers have responded to this practice by creating special mouthpieces that are intended primarily to ease use by the dripping method.
Atomizer
A battery connected to a USB charger.
A personal charging case, or PCC.
The atomizer is the heating element responsible for vaporizing the liquid, and generally consists of a simple filament and wicking metal mesh to draw the liquid in. It is positioned in the center of the three components that make up the entire electronic cigarette cylinder, as the cartridge attaches to one end, and the power unit to the other. The atomizer's filament tends to lose efficiency over time due to a buildup of sediment, or "burns out" entirely, requiring replacement. This creates one of the primary recurring expenses associated with electronic cigarettes.
Cartomizer
To deal with atomizer degradation and the associated expense, manufacturers introduced an integrated cartridge/atomizer component that is more cheaply produced, known as a cartomizer. They are sold in packages of five or more. When their heating elements degrade, they can be disposed of and replaced more cheaply than standalone atomizers.
Power source and electronics
Most portable power units contain a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, while wired units often draw power through a USB connection. The housing for the power source and electronic circuitry is usually the largest component of an electronic cigarette.
This unit may contain an electronic airflow sensor, in the case of "automatic" electronic cigarettes, so that activation is triggered simply by drawing breath through the device. Other "manual" electronic cigarette power units are constructed with a button that activates the heating element, and must be held during operation. A timed cutoff switch to prevent overheating, and/or a colored LED to announce activation, may also be included in the power unit casing.
Like most electronic devices, chargers of many different types are available for electronic cigarette batteries, such as AC outlet, car, and USB. Some manufacturers also offer a "Portable Charging Case," or "PCC": a portable case that contains a large battery, which in turn charges smaller batteries within individual e-cigarettes. PCCs are often designed to resemble traditional cigarette packs.
Liquids
Liquids used to produce vapor in electronic cigarettes are widely sold both as separate bottled products, for use with refillable cartridges, and as pre-filled disposable cartridges. Bottled liquid is sold under a variety of names, including "e-liquid", "e-juice", and "nicotine solution".
Contents of liquid solutions vary, but their common aspects include water and flavorings in a propylene glycol or glycerin base. Nicotine is also included in solutions intended to fulfill a nicotine replacement role.
Flavors
Hundreds of different flavor varieties are available. Some attempt to resemble traditional cigarette types, such as regular tobacco and menthol, and some even claim to mimic specific cigarette brands, such as Marlboro or Camel. A wide variety of food flavors are also sold, from the traditional (vanilla, coffee, cola) to the more exotic (strawberry daiquiri, Boston cream pie).
Nicotine
Liquid solutions containing nicotine are available in differing nicotine concentrations to suit user preference. Dosing nomenclatures are not standardized and vary by manufacturer, but tend towards the following rough figures:
- Liquids said to contain "low" doses of nicotine tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of 68 mg/ml (milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid).
- "Midrange" or "medium" doses tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of 1014 mg/ml.
- "High" doses tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of 1618 mg/ml.
- "Extra-high" doses tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of 2436 mg/ml.
Bases
Flavors and nicotine are dissolved in hygroscopic components, which turn the water in the solution into a smoke-like vapor when heated. Commonly used hygroscopic components include propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and polyethylene glycol 400 (often sold under the abbreviations PG, VG, and PEG 400, respectively).
